day 6 devotional- lukewarmness

here's what my book says for day 6

"

scripture: rev. 3:15-17 (NLT) I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot or cold. I wish that you were one of the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, 'I am rich. I have everything I want. I don't need a thing!' And you don't realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.

Personal reflection: If you're a coffee drinker, you understand that coffee is either good really hot or really cold, but if you drink it lukewarm it tastes terrible. The greatest danger facing each of us is being lukewarm in our faith; choosing to be indifferent to the commands of Christ, yet remain in the church pew. In America, we suffer from a great malady, thse who call themselves a Christian based on "going to church," "i was raised in a Christian home," ir "I was baptized when I was young." A lukewarm Christian is very hard to distinguish from the world and, a lot of times, is passing off pop-psychology or positive thinking for real relationshihp with christ Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the condition of your heart and guide you out of the "middle of the road" Christianity toward a burning passion for serving Him

Going forward, I'm committed to _______.

Additional Scripture Support:
phil. 3:13 & 14, 2 timothy 4:6-8, matthew 5:3, romans 6, prov. 13:7, Mark 10:24, luke 1:53, luke 6:24

praying through scripture:

2 cor. 13:5 & romans 12:3 (msg)
Jesus, test mme and teach me to test myself to make sure that I am solid in the faith. show me anywhere that I may be drifting along and taking things for granted. Holy Spirit, remind me to give myself regular checkups and give me first-hand insight into the condition of my heart. if i fall in any area, reveal it to me so that I can do something about it. i want to live in pure grace and not misrepresent myself as someone who is bringing goodness to God but remember that He brings all goodness to me. I commit to accurately understanding myself by what God is and what He does for me, not by who I see myself as and what I can do. Amen

"

A lot of times we think being weak means being not being independant, but here in rev. God says look, you're lukewarm because you tell yourself that you are independant. Being weak is not having God, being strong is being dependant.

And that's why relationship is so Godly; it's probably the way we can understand God the most on earth. I know I usually talk of dependancy as an "ew" and relationships as a "gross," but they are good, and dependancy is cool.

And so, our relationships here constantly help us to think back to our relationship with God. The other day I told Sherwin "Anything I can do by myself, I can do better with you," and for some reason it really hit me in the I should be thinking this way about God, too. And it was good.

day 6- rain, running, and rewards

day 6! Today is rainy and I took the time to do my (much needed) laundry and run inside in my apt. gym.

While I was doing so, I got a text from my mom (yes, my mom can text. she also can beat me at bejeweled on facebook half of the time):

"OMG...I gave 20 dol yesterday to the earthquake victims and I sold 200 dol today!"

Backstory: My mom is an alpaca farmer. She shears alpacas and hand spins the yarn and then knits with it. An art museum in suffolk was opening a new place, and invited a bunch of sophisticated crafters to have booths today in celebration.

Anyhow, she made $200 on her stuff today.

Hey, look at that. the $20 she gave two days ago was 10 percent of that. it looks a little bit like tithing in reverse order.

Funny how things work sometimes.

God is pretty cool.

The thing that really got me was a later text from her

"The reason I did it was because I questioned myself and asked what I wasn't doing right."

And that, is really encouraging. Things like this really show me that this blog is helping to glorify God, and to really strengthen his relationships with his children.

So thanks, mom. Thanks for sharing, believing, being a great role model to me, and for brightening my rainy day. <3

Day 6- dried pinapple, leftover vegetable soup, and steamed carrots and broccoli soon for dinner

day 5 devotional- faithfulness

Here's what my book gives us to focus on today

"

Scripture: Rev. 3:10-11 Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to the world. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown.

Personal reflection: the type of faith that God measures each of us by is simple: do we believe Him and keep His word? This is a faithfulness that says, "I'm willing to lose it lose all for your sake," and "I believe your Word and promises above what my current circumstances look like." As simple as that sounds, our faithful confidence in God will be tested; as our trials increase and the battle grows more intense, our flesh can become weary. When we're weary, we allow fear, anger and doubt to creep in causing us to lose our childlike faith in God and instead, turn to questioning and caution when it comes to his promises. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you areas that you have let go of your faithfulness to God and relied on your own strength and understanding. Repent in these areas and return to a childlike faith in God, yout Faithful Father.

Going forward i'm committed to _____

additional scripture support:
matthew 25:1-13, Joshua 24:14, 2 kings 20:3, psalm 26:3, psalm 85:10, psalm 119:30, luke 16:10, galatians 5:22, 1 tim. 1:12

praying through scripture:
2 timothy 4:3-7 (MSG)
jesus, i know that there are going to be times when people, maybe even myself, have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food- catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. help me not to turn my back on truth to chase mirages. but instead to keep my eye on what i'm doing, accepting the hard times along with the good; keeping your Word slive; doing a good job as your servant. i hand my life over to you, die to myself so that my life can be a sacrifice to you. this is the only race worth running- thank you for the strength to run hard right to the finish, believing your truth all the way. Amen.

"


I think it's really cool how this passage from revelation links faithfulness with perseverence. we can't just be faithful one day, and come back to it later. we keep on with it. :-) fasting and blogging is definitely helping me with this.

day 5- panera, prices, and paradox

hey day five. it's 11:36 at night, friday, and i'm tired.

I discovered today while taking my georgia sister out to dinner that panera has david's fast options- salad and veggie soup. Does it even count as fasting if I still go out to eat?

Which made me think about my grocery bill- which in all honesty, has gone up since I've started fasting. Fruits and vegetables are way more expensive than ramen noodles, pasta, and rice.

Countless statistics tell us that although it sounds counterintuitive, poor people are more likely to be overweight than underweight; that the highest obesity counts are among people below poverty line; that children on free lunches at school have a higher body mass than children who are not. Why?

Because healthy foods are more expensive than unhealthy ones.

We see a society crazy about organic, for instance, but at what prices?

And that feels like a paradox to me of the Daniel fast- it is good in many, many ways, but I am spending more to fast than if I wasn't fasting.

And that makes me feel odd.

day 5- homemade soup, panera veggie soup and salad.

day 4 devotional- complacency

Today, my prayer and study guide calls us to consider ourselves in terms of complacency.

"

scripture:
Rev. 3:1b-3 (NLT) "I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive- but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. Go back to what you first heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don't, I will come to you suddenly, as an unexpected thief."

personal reflection:
Complacency is a sickness in today's world, especially in America; too often we become comfortable and self-satisfied because everything seems fine in our life and we're happy and comfortable. It's the this ery comfort that puts us at the greatest risk. When we are in need, we take God seriously and seek him for guidance, strength, and wisdom. But when we are fed, comfortable and prosperous, it's easy to become complacent about God. It's a wise person who remembers that no matter what our circumstances in this life, God is with us daily in times of both need and prosperity. Seek the holy spirit's guidance in revealing to you areas in your life in which you've become complacent.

Going forward, I'm commited to ____"

Additional scripture support: Hosea 13:5-6, James 4:14, 1 kings 11:1-4, 2 timothy 4:2, 1 peter 5:8, zeph. 1:12, amos 6:1, 1 cor. 16:13"

for me, this hits about my fast in particular. like the devotional guide says, when we are in need, we pay so much attention to God. But what about all the other times?

My biggest fear is that after this fast, I'll go back to doing what I always do. Not necessarily afraid of eating things that are bad for me, but what about taking in other things? What about going back to not focusing so much on God, and focusing on other things?

During my fast so far, I find myself centered on God most all of the day. I didn't have that before. And I don't want it to wear off when I'm done and then forget it was ever different.

Going forward, I want to be God centered, even when things are going well. Even when I'm not asking God for direction, I want him there with me. I want to be there to be used by Him.

Going forward, I want more of God, and less of me.

Praying through scripture today is from 2 timothy 4:3-7 (the message translation)
Jesus, I know that there are going to be times when people, maybe even myself, have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food- catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. Help me not to turn my back on truth to chase mirages. But instead to keep my eye on what I'm doing, accepting the hard times along with the good; keeping your Word alive; doing a good job as your servant. I hand my life over to you, die to myself so that my life can be a sacrifice to you. The is the only race worth running- thank you for the strength to run hard right to the finish, believing your truth all the way. Amen.

day 4- tithing, loving, and christian alternatives

So I've been reminded over and over again that it's best to give your money to non-profit organizations which are also Christian. For example, if you want to give help to hunger, find a Christian organization and not just a hunger one.

There are obvious rewards to this. It's evangelism. And that's not to say that giving food and loving and other non-profits arn't, it's just that Christian organizations can go the extra mile and tell people that they are doing it because of God's love, grace, and mercy. And that's so good.

So, I found this really good place to donate to if you are still thinking about giving money to Haiti earthquake victims.

http://www.foodforthepoor.org/

They are called food for the poor, and they specifically provide help in the areas of food, water, and shelter specifically for people in the caribbean and south america.

They also do missions trips, and work with churches and schools.

Also, the side of the website reminds us, when we give, we should follow up with prayer.

And so that, for a large part of my prayer time today, is what I've been focused on.

People have come at me from every side on my last blog entry asking people to help in Haiti, especially on the aspect of tithing. It always surprises me how many Christians don't tithe.

At the same time, I do recognize that tithing, is only written in the old testament. Mostly found in Leviticus, and that is where we get 10% from, in 27:32 the bible says that every 10th animal that passes under the shepard's rod belongs to God (we also see 10 percent again in deuteronomy 14:22, that every day we should put aside 1/10 of our crops for the Lord). And sure, we don't read about calling people to tithe in the new testament. In fact, in Luke 10:7 we read "the worker is worthy in his wages." ok, cool. but does being worthy of having not mean giving?

Here is what we else we see in new testament:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2019:16-28&version=NIV

Jesus calls the rich man to sell all of his belongings and give them to the poor, and the rich man goes away sad because he has much. Jesus says that it is harder for a rich man to get into a heaven than for a camel to go through the head of a needle. Why?

Matthew 6:24 reminds us that we cannot be a servant to two Gods, saying that God is one and money is the other. If we are captivated by one, how can we possibly be fully captivated by the other?

2 corinthians 9:7 calls us to be cheerful givers, matthew 5:42 says don't turn away from the man who wants to borrow from you, 1 timothy 6: 17-18 calls those who are rich to share because God is pleased with sacrifice; the list goes on and on and on.

It seems to me that Christians don't have the option of whether to help the poor or not; Christians are called to help those less fortunate than themselves. Sure, tithing was great, and it was consistant, but in the new testament we see something new: we see love over law. And love calls us to compassion and mercy and giving. A love that possibly calls us to reach out when we see people in Haiti in pain. So sure, maybe new testament doesn't call us to tithe- but in all honestly it calls us to something even more- it calls us to be aware, to watch out for those around us, and to give when we see people in need and we have more.

Another thing I see a lot of today is young people around my age who think that they are too young, and don't have enough yet to be settled down and able to tithe, or to give money at all.

But we see in Mark 12:43-44, the parable of the poor women who gives her last coin, that people with less are even more righteous than those who are rich and give the same amount. He encourages us to give because giving is Godly. And Matthew 6:33 is further encouragement to us, saying "but seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you."

I know, as seems to be the theme that I keep pulling back to from my first entry, that starting sucks. but starting is the hardest part. Then you realize you don't even miss your money. You realize that praying over where it is going is way more fulfilling. You find that you can hear God more clearly, and are more focused. Starting is the hardest part, but once you get the hang of it, doing things when they should be done is so easy.

I've heard so many testimonies of God's grace in helping provide, as the scripture from Matthew above tells us, and I want to share one right now.

My old intervarsity leaders Eric and Beth Gambardella fundraise their entire salaries through intervarsity to do what they do. They lived in a horribly small apartment, really needed somewhere larger to do their work, but they were having money problems. But Beth told a story of how they acted out as followers of Christ and tithed anyways. The next day when they were driving home, someone had left a huge desk on the side of the road for the trash. They took it home with them, cleaned up all their clutter by putting it in the desk, and suddenly had so much room in their apartment to do their work.

As I've been learning from my fast, we don't need as many things as we think we do. Day 4 and I feel fine. Sure, cheese and chocolate and coffee are good, but I don't need them. Not like other people need food and water. Not nearly like all of us need a Savior.

Seek God first, and everything else will fall into place.

day 4- sunflower seeds and raisens, tomato soup, and stirfry vegetables

day 3 devotional- worldliness

Here's what my prayer guide gives us for today:

"

Rev. 2:20-21 (NLT) "But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting to woman- that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet- to lead my servants astray. She teaches them to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to turn away from her immorality."

Personal reflection:
We must always be careful about those things that come into our lives to decieve us and divide our thinking. The word worldliness, for most, bring to mind images of sex, drugs, and rock & roll; while these things can certainly be outward relection of an inward heart turned toward the world, perhaps the most subtle and damaging form of worldiness comes when we allow our culture to defie our values. When money, power and status cloud our definition of success. When we think our job is our security. When we seek first a career, a mate or material object rather than seeking first the kingdom of heaven. Ask the Holy Spirit to cleanse you of the idols in your life. You can tell whether or not something has taken priority over God in your life by how much time you spend with it, or thinking about it.

Going forward, I'm committed to _____.

Additional Scripture Support: Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 15:16-20, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Colossians 2:8, Deut. 7:26 & 8:18, Galations 5:19-24

"

Sometimes I have to remind myself that a productive day isn't necessarily one filled with schoolwork- with teaching and writing and coding and experiments. Sometimes I get so caught up in that idea that I push people aside in order to have what I think a "productive" day should look like. I work through lunch. I stay at my desk all day. When I go home, I take a short break, and get back on my computer and write.

The reflection reminds us "you can tell whether or not something has taken priority over God in your life by home much time you spend with it, or thinking about it."

At the same time, I know that saying "oh, well I shouldn't work 8 hours a day" is silly, because God calls us to work. He says that whatever you do, do with all your heart. And if we do things with all our heart, that's a reflection of Him.

I think, once again, it's a matter of balance.

When we focus so much on one thing, we have no room for the rest.

Kevin Hass once explained how we should use our time in life as putting rocks in a jar- the rocks are different sizes depending on the importance of them. Doesn't it make sense, he once asked me, if you put the big important rocks in first, and then all the little ones to fill in the cracks? Because if you start with the little ones all at the bottom, the big ones don't fit in right.

The same thing goes with time. Our number one priorities should be first. And a lot of times we spread ourselves too thin, or we start with smaller things because they are easier, and we leave out the really important things.

Praying through scripture today is from 1 corinthians 1:19-23 (the message translation)
Jesus, I would rather the world call me a fool for following you, than to conform to what the world calls smart- you see as foolishness. You see through the smoke screens of those who think themselves wise. Forgive me where I have bragged in my own conceit and forgotten that I am privileged to call you my Savior, my Lord and my King.